Review by Rick Eaglestone for MPM
Poland’s Blaze Of Perdition return with their sixth album Upharsin.
Stepping back from previous releases the albums opener W kwiecie rozłamu erupts in frenzy with destructive nodes rife throughout, the follow up Przez rany has an almost ceremonial feel to it with its slower pace and lingering solo. Even though these are in place it takes nothing away from the overall bleak tone that seems to riding through the album so far.
There is an urgent no nonsense to this album that I really appreciate, the tracks themselves are all fairly equal in length and although raw black metal delivers fast hitting soundscapes the measured approach that the band have taken really takes the listener on an exploration through the lyrical concept of the album with a real sense of grandeur, this for me culminates with Niezmywalne which really captures the mood of Upharsin perfectly.
Architekt has some really nice rolling drums patterns incorporated into it and once again the slower, more methodical approach works really well in creating a level of atmosphere that as it moves into the heavier parts really stands out.
The album concludes with longest track Młot, miecz i bat which at nearly 10 minutes really allows the band to highlight their prowess for expansive compositions, predominantly it is intense but towards the end there is a fragility that adds a great dynamic in closing this particular chapter, overall, the album has been a very easy listen and although the track lengths are fairly long at no point did my attention waver
“With Upharsin we aimed to open the wounds of humanity as a collective. The album reflects on how humans tend to gravitate towards conflict and strife. How religions, politics as well as other aspects of our everyday life are tainted and driven by our lower instincts as we willingly refuse to learn from our own history, as we choose to ignore and neglect the shadow aspect of our psychic reality, which in turn takes us further and further in the everlasting cycle of violence. It’s probably the most realistic concept we’ve taken on, with noticeably less spiritual leanings and a much more grounded approach,” states Blaze Of Perdition
A sharp and visceral delivery
“Upharsin” Track listing.
1. W kwiecie rozłamu / In Ruptures Prime
2. Przez rany / Through the Wounds
3. Niezmywalne / Indelible
4. Architekt / The Architect
5. Młot, miecz i bat / Hammer, Sword and Whip
Line-up:
S. – vocals
XCIII – guitars
M.R. – guitars
VZN – drums
Wyrd – bass (session)
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7/10
